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Standards and Equity – Main page

Employment standards are essentially the foundation for creating productive workplaces. They help protect the rights of workers, foster cooperative relationships between employers and workers, and provide the necessary conditions for a productive economy. Equal opportunity for all of Canada's diverse population is essential to creating a motivated and innovative workforce in a 21st century economy.

To this extent, the Labour Program provides a variety of tools and resources on topics such as:

Federal Labour Standards - Such standards protect the rights of workers, foster positive workplace environments and proactive relationships between managers and employees and, ultimately, benefit the bottom line of any business.

Federal Construction Contracts - Whenever contractors bid on federal construction projects, they must agree to meet the conditions defined in the Fair Wages and Hours of Labour Act and pay the wages established by the Labour Program in support of the Act and its regulations.

Wage earner protection program – A Government of Canada program that provides payment of eligible wages owing to workers whose employer has gone bankrupt or become subject to receivership.

Minimum Wage Database - Every province and territory in Canada now provides for a minimum wage in its employment standards legislation. As for the federal jurisdiction, it has entrenched the applicable provincially legislated general adult minimum wage rate for workers covered by Part III of the Canada Labour Code. The Minimum Wage Database provides information on historical as well as current minimum wages.

Equality and inclusion - Well-designed workplace employment equity and pay equity policies and programs have a positive impact on individual Canadians by creating an 'even playing field' for all. They also benefit the Canadian economy by taking full advantage of the abilities and talents of all citizens.